Water splitting activity of layered oxides

ABSTRACT

An efficient and economical process for H2 evolution by water splitting, catalyzed by layered oxides that function in UV and visible light.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a National Phase entry of PCT Application No. PCT/IN2014/000560, filed Sep. 1, 2014, which claims priority from IN Patent Application No. 2565/DEL/2013, filed Aug. 30, 2013, each of which is hereby fully incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an efficient and economical process for H₂ evolution by water splitting, catalyzed by layered oxides that function in UV and visible light. Particularly, the present invention discloses catalysts that efficiently evolve H₂ in the presence and absence of a co-catalyst.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART OF THE INVENTION

Photo-catalytic hydrogen generation from water is one of the most favorable ways to generate clean energy. Water splitting using semiconductor powder catalysts is a promising and preferred process because of the simplicity and ease of handling.

Semiconductor oxides like TiO₂ and ZnO are widely used in photocatalysis due to unique electronic structures facilitating the formation of electron-hole pairs, on irradiation with light of appropriate energy, which can be utilized in electron transfer processes. However, efficient utilization of these charge carriers is possible only if charge recombination is avoided.

Recombination occurs when photo generated electrons reoccupy the valence band and depends on the positions of valence and conduction bands, or electron and hole conduction pathways within the oxide lattice. On irradiation with light of appropriate energy, electrons and holes are generated in bulk of the semiconductor particles and travel to the surface, eventually being utilized in water reduction and oxidation reactions respectively, on catalytically active surface sites or external co-catalysts deployed on the surface. During these processes, there are several possible pathways for recombination of the electron hole pair leading to energy wastage, such as grain boundaries, lattice defects and surface sites.

Recombination can be prevented if photo generated electrons and holes are well separated from each other spatially, i.e. photogeneration and utilization sites as well as conduction pathways are physically separated in space within the structure of the semiconductor. Consequently, catalytic activity, which depends on the availability of the photogenerated electrons, can be enhanced if such a spatial separation is provided.

Another important parameter depends on the structural characteristics of valence and conduction bands, wherein holes and photogenerated electrons and holes are located respectively and in semiconductors with bulk 3D structures, they are structurally close to each other enhancing the chances of recombination. Hence, structures with inherent separation of photogenerated charges spatially, are ideal for efficient photocatalysis. Such a phenomenon is exploited by nature in utilizing solar energy whereby photogenerated charges are separated spatially by cascade processes. Solid oxide structures can be envisaged which have intrinsic structural anisotropy leading to separate sites for charge generation and electron conduction pathways, effectively separating holes and electrons.

In view of the aforesaid, a suitable photocatalytic material should possess a sufficiently small band gap for utilizing more abundant visible light region in the solar spectrum. The valence band and conduction band positions with respect to reduction and oxidation potentials of water should be appropriate to drive overall water splitting.

Lately, a lot of attention has been garnered by layered semiconductor oxides, like K₄Nb₆O₁₇, members of Ruddlesden-Popper series of perovskites, layered perovskites, Sr₂Ta₂O₇ and Sr₂Nb₂O₇ as catalysts for H₂ generation. Typically, these structures consist of sheets of transition metal oxides separated by alkali or alkaline earth metal ions, giving rise to anisotropy to a certain extent restricting movement of charges through interlayer spaces. However, in these layered compounds, the attempt is to introduce catalytic sites within the interlayer spaces thereby achieving partial space separation of the charges or spatially separate H₂ and O₂ evolution sites reducing the backward reaction. Moreover, high band gap energies of these compounds limit their usage to only the UV light region.

Layered structures with well-defined conduction pathways separated from photo generation sites can be envisaged to address the problems posed by layered oxides effectively. InMO₃(ZnO)_(m) are a series of oxides form one such family of compounds which are conventionally studied for their excellent thermoelectric properties as well as transparent conducting oxides. The enhanced conductivity is suggested to be due to a spatial separation of the carrier donors located in insulating layers and the conducting layers which transfer the carriers effectively. Spatial separation in InMO₃(ZnO)_(m) is found to be much higher compared to contemporary semiconductors. This is manifested in the anisotropic nature of the electrical conductivity. Measurements on thin film and single crystals reveal higher conductivity along a-b plane. Kawazoe and co-workers (Un'no, N. Hikuma, T. Omata, N. Ueda, T. Hashimoto, and H. Kawazoe, Jpn. J. Appl. Phys., Part 2 32, L1260 (1993), T. Omata, N. Ueda, K. Ueda, and H. Kawazoe, Appl. Phys. Lett. 64, 1077 (1994), K. Yanagawa, Y. Ohki, T. Omata, H. Hosono, N. Ueda, and H. Kawazoe, Appl. Phys. Lett. 64, 2071 (1994)) suggested that layers formed by edge sharing MO₆ octahedra, where M is a p-block metal ion, may act as electron conducting pathways facilitating electrical conductivity. The unique electronic and band structure resulting from such a structural anisotropy makes this series, potential materials for addressing recombination issues associated with semiconductor photocatalysts.

In this context, there remains a need in the art for a simple and economical photocatalytic water splitting process catalyzed by structurally anisotropic compounds with photo-generation sites and electron conduction pathways which are spatially separated structurally.

Therefore, it will be of advantage to explore photo catalysts that have the above mentioned properties and structures and provide them as efficient photo catalysts for systems to evolve H₂ by water splitting. But such catalysts should preferably satisfy the need to maintain the costs of the process of H₂ generation. Rather it would be pertinent to state here that the catalyst should not be the reason for the process to not satisfy the need for an economic alternative. It would be further advantageous to provide a catalyst that functions well at the visible and the UV range.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a photocatalytic process for H₂ evolution by water splitting using a catalyst active in UV and visible light.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a process of H₂ evolution by water splitting using a catalyst that is independent of a co catalyst.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention provide a photocatalytic water splitting process for H₂ generation catalyzed by InA(ZnO)m in the visible and UV light range, wherein A is selected from an oxide of Fe or Ga and m=1-5, comprising:

-   -   i. dispersing InA(ZnO)m powder in a reactant solution comprising         water and methanol in ratio of 4:1 in a gas closed irradiation         system;     -   ii. irradiating the reactant mixture as obtained in step (i) to         obtain hydrogen.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the catalyst are selected from the group consisting of InFeO₃(ZnO)m and InGaO₃(ZnO)m, wherein m=1-5.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the irradiation process is carried out in the UV or visible light region.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the said process is carried for a period of 1-12 hours.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, optionally the process is carried out in the presence of a metal co-catalyst selected from the group consisting of NiO, CuO and Pt.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, NiO is loaded onto InGaO₃(ZnO)m, where m=1-5.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, CuO is loaded onto InGaO₃(ZnO)m, where m=1-5.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, Pt is loaded onto InFeO₃(ZnO)m, where m=1-5.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the hydrogen evolution rate is in the range of 7 to 11 milli mol/g/h and 0.8 to 3.58 milli mol/g/h in the presence of catalyst InFeO₃(ZnO)m and InGaO₃(ZnO)m respectively.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a photocatalyst composition InA(ZnO)_(m), wherein A is selected from an oxide of Fe or Ga and m=1-5 for use as a catalyst in water splitting reactions for H₂ generation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts the powder XRD pattern of InFeO₃(ZnO)₁.

FIG. 2 depicts the effect of irradiation time on hydrogen generation by InFeO₃ (ZnO)₁ without loading Pt under visible light irradiation.

FIG. 3 depicts the powder XRD pattern of InFeO₃(ZnO)₂.

FIG. 4 depicts the effect of irradiation time on hydrogen generation by InFeO₃ (ZnO)₂ with Pt loading under UV irradiation.

FIG. 5 depicts the effect of irradiation time on hydrogen generation by InFeO₃ (ZnO)₂ without loading Pt under UV irradiation.

FIG. 6 depicts the effect of irradiation time on hydrogen generation by InFeO₃ (ZnO)₂ without loading Pt under visible irradiation.

FIG. 7 depicts the effect of irradiation time on hydrogen generation by InFeO₃ (ZnO)₂ with Pt loading under visible irradiation.

FIG. 8 depicts the powder XRD pattern of InFeO₃(ZnO)₃.

FIG. 9 depicts the effect of irradiation time on hydrogen generation by InFeO₃ (ZnO)₃ without loading Pt under visible irradiation.

FIG. 10 depicts the powder XRD pattern of InFeO₃(ZnO)₄.

FIG. 11 depicts the effect of irradiation time on hydrogen generation by InFeO₃(ZnO)₄ without loading Pt under visible irradiation.

FIG. 12 depicts the comparison of water splitting activity in visible light without Pt impregnation for the three catalysts.

FIG. 13 depicts H₂ evolution with IGZ InGaO₃(ZnO)m, where m=1-4 catalysts under UV light irradiation.

FIG. 14 depicts H₂ evolution with 1 wt %, 2 wt % NiO loaded IGZ catalyst.

FIG. 15 depicts H₂ evolution with 2 wt % NiO loaded IGZ catalysts.

FIG. 16 depicts H₂ evolution with 1 wt %, 2 wt % CuO loaded IGZ catalyst at 4 hours.

FIG. 17 depicts H₂ evolution with 2 wt % CuO loaded IGZ catalysts.

FIG. 18 depicts H₂ evolution from IGZ1 with different CuO loading.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention provide an efficient and economic process for H₂ evolution by water splitting employing layered oxides as photo catalysts, which are functional in UV and visible light.

In an aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a process for H₂ evolution, wherein the photocatalyst is InA(ZnO)_(m), wherein m=1-5, A is selected from an oxide of Fe or Ga, such that the catalyst evolves H₂ in UV as well as visible range.

In another aspect the present invention provides a process of evolution of H₂ carried out optionally in the presence of a co-catalyst selected from Pt, CuO or NiO.

“UV” and “visible light range” as used in the specification refer to wavelengths in the range of 180-800 nm.

Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention disclose a photocatalytic water splitting process for H₂ generation catalyzed by InA(ZnO)_(m), wherein A is selected from an oxide of Fe or Ga and m=1-5 in the absence of a metal co-catalyst and is carried out in the UV or visible range.

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a photocatalytic process for H₂ generation in the presence of a catalyst InA(ZnO)m, wherein A is selected from an oxide of Fe or Ga and m=1-5.

Further, embodiments of the present invention disclose a photocatalytic process for H2 generation in the presence of a layered oxide catalyst InA(ZnO)m, wherein A is selected from an oxide of Fe or Ga and m=1-5 comprising:

-   -   a. dispersing InA(ZnO)m powder in a reactant solution comprising         water and methanol in a ratio of 4:1 in a gas closed irradiation         system, and     -   b. irradiating the reactant mixture obtained in step a.

Accordingly, the photocatalytic activity of InA(ZnO)m is determined by measuring the H₂ evolution in reactions that are carried out in a gas-closed system having a dead volume in the range of 45-55 ml.

The instant photocatalyst InA(ZnO)m, wherein A is selected from an oxide of Fe or Ga and m=1-4 is dispersed by magnetic stirring in the reactant solution (25 mL) in an irradiation cell made of quartz.

The reactant solution for water splitting comprises (20 mL) pure/distilled water and (5 mL) methanol in a ratio of 4:1.

The reactant mixture is irradiated and methanol as the sacrificial reagent is oxidized by the resulting photogenerated holes.

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a water splitting catalyst for H₂ generation selected from the group consisting of InFeO₃(ZnO)m and InGaO₃(ZnO)m, where m=1-5.

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a photocatalytic water splitting process for H₂ evolution, wherein the catalysis is carried out in the UV range and visible range of light.

The light source used for irradiation in the closed system is a 400 W mercury lamp for UV irradiation and a 400 W Tungsten lamp for visible irradiation.

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a photocatalytic process in the presence of a catalyst having formula InA(ZnO)m, wherein the process is carried for a period of 1 to 8 hours.

The evolving gas mixture from the closed system is taken in a syringe at an interval of 1 hour. The amount of H₂ evolved can be determined using gas chromatography (Agilent GC with Carbosphere column and N₂ as carrier gas).

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a photocatalyst, InA(ZnO)_(m), wherein A is selected from an oxide of Fe or Ga and m=1-5 for catalyzing water splitting reactions for H2 generation.

The instant catalyst InA(ZnO)m, is prepared by grinding indium oxide (In₂O₃), a metal oxide selected from FeO₃ or GaO₃Fe₂O₃; and ZnO under acetone in an agate mortar and pestle and subjecting it to calcination at 700° C., 900° C. and 1000° C. overnight with intermitted grinding in a muffle furnace. The resulting powder is pelleted by adding 2.5% polyvinyl alcohol in an aqueous solution as a binder. The pellet is sintered two times at 1350° C. for 15 h. The catalyst is characterized by XRD. Pt is loaded onto InFeO₃(ZnO)m, where m=1-5, by a wet impregnation method and heated at 400° C. for 1 hour. Metal oxides selected from NiO and CuO are used as co-catalysts for water splitting reactions catalyzed by InGaO₃(ZnO)m, where m=1-5.

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a process for catalyzing H₂ generation wherein the process is optionally co-catalysed by metals or metal oxides selected from the group consisting of, but not limited to Pt, CuO or NiO.

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a photocatalytic water splitting process, wherein the hydrogen evolution rate is in the range of 7 to 11 milli mol/g/h in the presence of catalyst InFeO₃(ZnO)m. The hydrogen evolution rate is in the range of 0.8 to 3.58 milli mol/g/h in the presence of catalyst InGaO₃(ZnO)m.

Embodiments of the present invention disclose the use of the instant photocatalyst composition InA(ZnO)m, wherein A is selected from metal oxides of Ga or Fe and m=1-5 for catalyzing a water splitting reaction for the evolution of H₂.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are given by way of illustration and therefore should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention.

Example 1

i. Synthesis of InFeO₃(ZnO)₁

For 1 g of InFeO₃(ZnO)₁, 0.4627 g, 0.2661 g and 0.2712 g of In₂O₃, Fe₂O₃ and ZnO were weighed respectively and ground thoroughly under acetone in an agate mortar and pestle. The mixed powders were transferred to a platinum crucible and calcined at 700° C., 900° C. and 1000° C. overnight with intermitted grinding in a muffle furnace. The resulting powder was made into pellet by adding 2.5% polyvinyl alcohol in aqueous solution as a binder. The pellet was sintered two times at 1350° C. for 15 h.

ii. Characterization of InFeO₃(ZnO)₁

X Ray Diffraction

The phase formation was confirmed with XRD. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) was carried out in a PANalytical X'pert Pro dual goniometer diffractometer working under 40 kV and 30 mA. The radiation used was Cu Kα (1.5418 Å) with a Ni filter and the data collection was carried out using a flat holder in Bragg-Brentano geometry with 1° slit at the source and receiving sides. An X'celerator solid-state detector with a scan speed of 0.012° min⁻¹ was employed.

The powder XRD patterns depicted in FIGS. 1, 3, 8 and 10, show highly crystalline diffraction peaks, clearly indicating the formation of required structures, JCPDS Card Numbers 40-0250, 40-0243, 40-024, 40-0245 for IFZ1, IFZ2, IFZ3 and IFZ4 respectively, with reference to Kimizuka, N et al., Solid State Chem. 1988, 74, 98-109.

The XRD pattern (FIG. 1) matches that of the reported compound corresponding to JCPDS PDF number 40-0250.

iii. Photocatalytic Activity

InFeO₃(ZnO)₁ was dispersed in 20 ml water and 5 ml methanol by means of a magnetic stirrer in a gas closed irradiation cell made of quartz having 70 ml capacity. Here methanol was taken as a sacrificial reagent which gets oxidized by the resulting photogenerated holes. The light source was a 400 Watt tungsten lamp for visible irradiation. The amount of H₂ evolved was determined using gas chromatography (Agilent GC with Carbosphere column and N₂ as carrier gas). The reaction was carried out for 5 hours. The evolving gas mixture was taken in a syringe at an interval of 1 hour and injected into the GC. With reference to Table 1 and FIG. 2, H₂ evolution is observed to be greater than 1 milli mole for five hours, in the absence of a co catalyst selected from Pt or NiO.

TABLE 1 Water splitting activity of InFeO₃(ZnO)₁ Irradiation Catalyst Irradiation Time (h) H₂ evolved (μmol/g/h) InFeO₃(ZnO)₁ _(—) without Visible 1 1689.437 Pt 2 1741.901 3 1463.899 4 1421.402 5 1413.016

Example 2

i. Synthesis of InFeO₃(ZnO)₂

For 1 g of InFeO₃(ZnO)₂ 0.3639 g, 0.2093 g and 0.4267 g of In₂O₃, Fe₂O₃ and ZnO were weighed respectively and ground thoroughly under acetone in an agate mortar and pestle. The mixed powders were transferred to a platinum crucible and calcined at 700° C., 900° C. and 1000° C. overnight with intermitted grinding in a muffle furnace. The resulting powder was made into pellet by adding 2.5% polyvinyl alcohol in aqueous solution as binder. The pellet was sintered two times at 1350° C. for 15 h.

ii. Characterization of InFeO₃(ZnO)₂

X Ray Diffraction

The phase formation was confirmed with XRD. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) was carried out in a PANalytical X'pert Pro dual goniometer diffractometer working under 40 kV and 30 mA. The radiation used was Cu Kα (1.5418 Å) with a Ni filter and the data collection was carried out using a flat holder in Bragg-Brentano geometry with 1° slit at the source and receiving sides. An X'celerator solid-state detector with a scan speed of 0.012° min⁻¹ was employed. The XRD pattern (FIG. 3) matches that of the reported compound corresponding to JCPDS PDF number 40-0243.

iii. Impregnation of Platinum

Tetraamine platinum nitrate ([Pt(NH₃)₄](NO₃)₂) was used as the platinum precursor. In order to load 2% platinum 0.002 g of [Pt(NH₃)₄](NO₃)₂ was weighed and dissolved in minimum amount of water and added to 0.049 g of InFeO₃(ZnO)₂, mixed well and dried at 60° C. The mixture was transferred to an alumina crucible and heated at 400° C. for 1 h.

iv. Photocatalytic Activity

The 2% platinum loaded InFeO₃(ZnO)₂ was dispersed in 20 ml water and 5 ml methanol by means of a magnetic stirrer in a gas closed irradiation cell made of quartz having 70 ml capacity. Here methanol was taken as sacrificial reagent which gets oxidized by the resulting photogenerated holes. The light source was a 400 W mercury lamp for UV and 400 W Tungsten lamp for visible irradiation. The amount of H₂ evolved was determined using gas chromatography (Agilent GC with Carbosphere column and N₂ as carrier gas). The reaction was carried out for 1 to 5 hours as tabulated herein. The evolving gas mixture was taken in a syringe at an interval of 1 hour and injected into the GC. The experiments were carried out with bare and platinum loaded catalyst under UV and visible irradiation. With reference to FIGS. 4-7 and Tables 2, 3, 4 and 5 it is observed that H₂ evolves in the presence of co catalyst exemplified as Pt, in both UV and visible ranges.

TABLE 2 Irradiation Time Catalyst Irradiation (h) H₂ evolved (μmol/g/h) InFeO₃(ZnO)₂ UV 2 233.5063 with Pt 3 199.6466 4 174.612 5 158.0367

TABLE 3 Catalyst Irradiation Irradiation Time (h) H₂ evolved (μmol/g/h) InFeO₃(ZnO)₂ UV 2 445.5616 without Pt 3 517.2267 4 407.1339 5 209.6826

TABLE 4 Catalyst Irradiation Irradiation Time (h) H₂ evolved (μmol/g/h) InFeO₃(ZnO)₂ Visible 1 1761.588 without Pt 2 1536.928 3 1284.246 4 1114.3

TABLE 5 Irradiation Catalyst Irradiation Time (h) H₂ evolved (μmol/g/h) InFeO₃(ZnO)₂ with Visible 1 1686.829 Pt 2 1230.631 3 1310.478

Example 3

i. Synthesis of InFeO₃(ZnO)₃

For 1 g of InFeO₃(ZnO)₃ 0.2999 g, 0.1725 g and 0.5275 g of In₂O₃, Fe₂O₃ and ZnO were weighed respectively and ground thoroughly under acetone in an agate mortar and pestle. The mixed powders were transferred to a platinum crucible and calcined at 700° C., 900° C. and 1000° C. overnight with intermitted grinding in a muffle furnace. The resulting powder was made into pellet by adding 2.5% polyvinyl alcohol in aqueous solution as binder. The pellet was sintered two times at 1350° C. for 15 h.

ii. Characterization of InFeO₃(ZnO)₃

X Ray Diffraction

The phase formation was confirmed with XRD. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) was carried out in a PANalytical X'pert Pro dual goniometer diffractometer working under 40 kV and 30 mA. The radiation used was Cu Kα (1.5418 Å) with a Ni filter and the data collection was carried out using a flat holder in Bragg-Brentano geometry with 1° slit at the source and receiving sides. An X'celerator solid-state detector with a scan speed of 0.012° min⁻¹ was employed.

The XRD pattern (FIG. 8) matches that of the reported compound corresponding to JCPDS PDF number 40-0244.

iii. Photocatalytic Activity

InFeO₃(ZnO)₃ was dispersed in 20 ml water and 5 ml methanol by means of a magnetic stirrer in a gas closed irradiation cell made of quartz having 70 ml capacity. Here methanol was taken as sacrificial reagent which gets oxidized by the resulting photogenerated holes. The light source was a 400 Watt tungsten lamp for visible irradiation. The amount of H₂ evolved was determined using gas chromatography (Agilent GC with Carbosphere column and N₂ as carrier gas). The reaction was carried out for 1 to 6 hours. The evolving gas mixture was taken in a syringe at an interval of 1 hour and injected into the GC. It may be concluded from FIG. 9 and Table 6 that the catalyst of this example evolves H₂ up to 1 milli mole even without presence of co catalyst. Further, the catalyst of this example has exhibited stability and activity over 6 hours.

TABLE 6 Water splitting activity of InFeO₃(ZnO)₃ Irradiation Catalyst Irradiation Time (h) H₂ evolved (μmol/g/h) InFeO₃(ZnO)₃ _(—) without Visible 1 766.4058 Pt 2 747.9462 3 788.8368 4 984.5972 5 1052.739 6 960.1463

Example 4

i. Synthesis of InFeO₃(ZnO)₄

For 1 g of InFeO₃(ZnO)₄ 0.2551 g, 0.1467 g and 0.5982 g of In₂O₃, Fe₂O₃ and ZnO were weighed respectively and ground thoroughly under acetone in an agate mortar and pestle. The mixed powders were transferred to a platinum crucible and calcined at 700° C., 900° C. and 1000° C. overnight with intermitted grinding in a muffle furnace. The resulting powder was made into pellet by adding 2.5% polyvinyl alcohol in aqueous solution as binder. The pellet was sintered two times at 1350° C. for 15 h.

ii. Characterization of InFeO₃(ZnO)₄

X Ray Diffraction

The phase formation was confirmed with XRD. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) was carried out in a PANalytical X'pert Pro dual goniometer diffractometer working under 40 kV and 30 mA. The radiation used was Cu Kα (1.5418 Å) with a Ni filter and the data collection was carried out using a flat holder in Bragg-Brentano geometry with 1° slit at the source and receiving sides. An X'celerator solid-state detector with a scan speed of 0.012° min⁻¹ was employed. The XRD pattern (FIG. 10) matches that of the reported compound corresponding to JCPDS PDF number 40-0245.

iii. Photocatalytic Activity

InFeO₃(ZnO)₄ was dispersed in 20 ml water and 5 ml methanol by means of a magnetic stirrer in a gas closed irradiation cell made of quartz having 70 ml capacity. Here methanol was taken as sacrificial reagent which gets oxidized by the resulting photogenerated holes. The light source was 400 Watt tungsten lamp for visible irradiation. The amount of H₂ evolved was determined using gas chromatography (Agilent GC with Carbosphere column and N₂ as carrier gas). The reaction was carried out for 5 hours. The evolving gas mixture was taken in a syringe at an interval of 1 hour and injected into the GC. With reference to Table 7 and FIG. 11, H₂ evolution is observed to be greater than 1 milli mole for five hours, in the absence of a co catalyst selected from Pt or NiO.

TABLE 7 Water splitting activity of InFeO₃(ZnO)₄ Irradiation Catalyst Irradiation Time (h) H₂ evolved (μmol/g/h) InFeO₃(ZnO)₄ _(—) without Visible 1 1406.202 Pt 2 1368.77164 3 1330.18205 4 1679.50397 5 1754.50057

Example 5

Photocatalytic Water Splitting Activity of InGaO₃ZnO

Photocatalytic water splitting activities for the instant IGZ (InGaO₃ZnO) compounds were evaluated with or without a co-catalyst. The results of hydrogen evolved with IGZ catalyst in the absence of a co-catalyst are tabulated in Table 8 and represented graphically in FIG. 13. The experiments were performed for 2 hours under UV light irradiation.

TABLE 8 H₂ evolution with IGZ catalysts without co-catalyst under UV light Catalysts H₂ evolved (milli mol/g) IGZ1 3.31258 IGZ2 3.36874 IGZ3 4.48085 IGZ4 4.72560

The H₂ evolution experiments using InGaO₃ZnO catalysts were performed in presence of visible light irradiation. However, H₂ evolution was negligible.

Therefore, co-catalysts such as CuO, NiO in combination with IGZ catalysts were used in order to enhance the water splitting activity in the visible region. 1 wt % and 2 wt % NiO loaded IGZ catalysts were used for water splitting under both UV and visible light irradiations for 4 hours.

Even though these catalysts were shown to be active for water splitting under UV light, it did not indicate any visible light activity. The amount of hydrogen evolved under UV light when using 1 wt % and 2 wt % NiO co-catalyst is tabulated in the Table 9 and also represents graphically in FIG. 14.

TABLE 9 H₂ evolution with 1 wt %, 2 wt % NiO loaded IGZ catalyst H₂ evolved in 4 h, UV light irradiation Catalysts 1% NiO 2% NiO IGZ1 5.49722 13.57300 IGZ2 6.80806 14.35979 IGZ3 6.14817 11.48355 IGZ4 8.35684 12.55806

From FIG. 14, it is observed that NiO co-catalyst functions efficiently for InGaO₃(ZnO)_(m) (m=1-4) series under UV irradiation. 2 wt % NiO loaded IGZ exhibits enhanced activity compared to 1 wt % NiO loaded. This proves the role of co-catalyst in water splitting.

2 wt % NiO loaded IGZ samples were used for detailed study by varying time of light irradiation. The results obtained from these experiments are graphically represented in FIG. 15. From the figure it is observed that as time of irradiation increases, the water splitting activity also increases. The NiO loaded IGZ based photocatalysts work under UV light irradiation.

As known from earlier experiments, IGZ water splitting catalysts were found to be less active under visible light.

In view of the weak activity of IGZ catalyst under visible light, it is necessary to provide a photocatalyst which functions under visible light. Sunlight consists of 50% visible light and only 4% UV light. In order to utilize solar energy efficiently, a photocatalyst which is visible light active for water splitting is more favorable.

It is reported that CuO loaded photocatalysts work efficiently under visible light irradiation. Water splitting experiments with 1 wt %, 2 wt % CuO loaded IGZ catalysts were conducted under visible light irradiation and the results obtained from these experiments are tabulated in Table 10 and graphically represented in FIG. 16.

TABLE 10 H₂ evolution with 1 wt %, 2 wt % CuO loaded IGZ catalysts at 4 hours under visible light. H₂ evolved (milli mol/g) Catalysts 1 wt % CuO 2 wt % CuO IGZ1 2.99879 5.18061 IGZ2 3.62655 4.54663 IGZ3 2.18242 3.23298 IGZ4 3.392526 3.35715

From FIG. 16 it is observed that the 2 wt % CuO loaded IGZ catalysts shows more water splitting activity than the corresponding 1 wt % CuO loaded IGZ catalysts. This proves that the addition of CuO as co-catalyst improves the activity. More experiments were conducted with 2 wt % CuO loaded IGZ catalysts by varying time of visible light irradiation and the results are graphically represented in FIG. 17.

It is observed that as time of irradiation increases, H₂ production also increases. Experiments were also done by varying the CuO loading in IGZ1 catalyst viz. 1 wt %, 4 wt % and 10 wt % CuO and the results obtained are tabulated in Table 11 and graphically represented in FIG. 18.

TABLE 11 H₂ evolution with IGZ1 catalyst with different CuO loading. Amount of H₂ evolved (Milli mol/g) IGZ1 under visible light for 2 h 1 wt % CuO 1.49939 2 wt % CuO 2.58468 4 wt % CuO 1.645000 10 wt % CuO  0.69134

Results shown in Table 11, indicate that IGZ1 loaded with 2 wt % CuO exhibits enhanced water splitting activity in visible light irradiation. Increase in loading concentration of CuO results in a decrease in the water splitting activity therefore increase in concentration of metal oxide adversely affects the water splitting activity. Moreover, loading with 2 wt % CuO loaded IGZ catalysts indicates better hydrogen evolution activity.

Advantages of the embodiments of the invention include economical process, since metal oxide co-catalyst is optional; and the photo catalyst is UV and visible active, with more activity in visible, especially in the absence of a co catalyst. 

We claim:
 1. A photocatalytic water splitting process for H₂ generation, the process comprising: a) dispersing a catalyst powder having the formula InA(ZnO)_(m) in a reactant solution to provide a reactant mixture in a gas closed irradiation system, wherein A is FeO₃ or GaO₃ and m=1-5, and wherein the reactant solution comprises water and methanol in ratio of 4:1; and b) irradiating the reactant mixture as obtained in step (a) in the visible light range, in the UV light range, or both the visible and UV light range, to obtain hydrogen; wherein the catalyst powder of the reactant mixture irradiated in the visible light range is selected from the group consisting of InFeO₃(ZnO)_(m), InFeO₃(ZnO)_(m) co-catalyzed with Pt, and InGaO₃(ZnO)_(m) co-catalyzed with CuO; and wherein the catalyst powder of the reactant mixture irradiated in the UV light range or both the visible light range and the UV light range is selected from the group consisting of InFeO₃(ZnO)_(m), InFeO₃(ZnO)_(m) co-catalyzed with Pt, InGaO₃(ZnO)_(m), InGaO₃(ZnO)_(m) co-catalyzed with NiO, and InGaO₃(ZnO)_(m) co-catalyzed with CuO.
 2. The photocatalytic water splitting process according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst powder is InFeO₃(ZnO)_(m).
 3. The photocatalytic water splitting process according to claim 2, wherein a hydrogen evolution rate is in the range of 7 to 11 milli mol/g/h and 0.8 to 3.58 milli mol/g/h in the presence of the reactant mixture having InFeO₃(ZnO)_(m) and InGaO₃(ZnO)_(m), respectively.
 4. The photocatalytic water splitting process according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation process is carried out in the UV light range.
 5. The photocatalytic water splitting process according to claim 1, wherein said process is carried for a period of 1-12 hours.
 6. The photocatalytic water splitting process according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst powder of the reactant mixture is InGaO₃(ZnO)_(m) co-catalyzed with NiO, and wherein NiO is loaded onto InGaO₃(ZnO)_(m).
 7. The photocatalytic water splitting process according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst powder of the reactant mixture is InGaO₃(ZnO)_(m) co-catalyzed with CuO, and wherein CuO is loaded onto InGaO₃(ZnO)_(m).
 8. The photocatalytic water splitting process according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst powder of the reactant mixture is InFeO₃(ZnO)_(m) co-catalyzed with Pt, and wherein Pt is loaded onto InFeO₃(ZnO)_(m).
 9. The photocatalytic water splitting process according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation process is carried out in the visible light range.
 10. The photocatalytic water splitting process according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation process is carried out in the visible light range and the UV light range.
 11. The photocatalytic water splitting process according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst powder of the reactant mixture is InFeO₃(ZnO)_(m) co-catalyzed with Pt.
 12. The photocatalytic water splitting process according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst powder of the reactant mixture is InGaO₃(ZnO)_(m) co-catalyzed with CuO.
 13. The photocatalytic water splitting process according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst powder of the reactant mixture is InGaO₃(ZnO)_(m).
 14. The photocatalytic water splitting process according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst powder of the reactant mixture is InGaO₃(ZnO)_(m) co-catalyzed with NiO. 